weird sound from '94 ranger engine

Maybe you just have some manifold or exhaust leaks. How's your hearing? Exhause leaks can be hard to spot from the sound alone. I think that CE light is your "Clouds Expected" today light, but if it stays on get it checked because we need lots of sun this summer.

unfortunately, my hearing is lupine-like. i can hear alarm clocks going off at 4:30 from down the street.

the sound is definetly coming from in the engine compartment. it--just a few minutes ago--even went on after shutting down the car. when i looked under the hood, it was popping at various places. not just one.

if you asked me, the engine has gas!

we could use some more rain here in so cal!

What you heard after the engine was turned off is called dieseling...I'm guessing your vehicle is way out of time, maybe the timing belt slipped or stretched or something.

i thought dieseling sounded more like an engine knock. i had old clunkers (not this one...lol) that would bang and knock around for a minute after shutting down. these are popping sounds that vary in intensity, and location. it happens while stopped at lights too. at least, that's when i can hear it.

i guess i'll have to get to the dealer for the "good news"!

thanks

Are you hearing the metal pop and tick as it either expands or contracts from the changes in temperature? That's very common. Every car I've had does that.

CJB

no, this is all the time, and VERY loud. it's not like it's the engine contracting and what not. it definitely appears to be exhaust related, since it's air popping. i have never heard a sound like this before, and it's beginning to concern me. i just hate going to the dealer without an idea of what might be wrong.

thanks though....

If it occurs when the engine is running it could be an exhaust leak or worse, a compression leak somewhere. You may be able to prove out the exhaust leak by having someone cover, and uncover the tailpipe. You should be able to detect a difference in sound and locate where it is coming from.

Obviously an exhaust leak sound will disappear when the engine stops but you may still get a sound from a compression leak after the engine stops if the guilty cylinder stops under compression. It could even be a loose spark plug.

You should also listen for AC leaks, though you probably wouldn't hear them over the engine noise.

Good luck

Stephen

yikes, the compression thing sounds deadly, but probable. it's weird that the sound seems to move around inside the engine compartment. maybe all cylinders have gone at the same time! great....cya ranger!

Could be your coolant boiling. That will make a banging or knocking sound that would continue after the engine is shut off.

Could be a cat under the hood. lol

I am with the guy that said timing. It sounds like your truck is pinging, thats what happens when you have detonation in your cylinders. Basically it burns the fuel before the engine has the chance to compress the cylinder, and it causes a ping to come off the top of the piston. Get your timing checked, and also have it checked for leaking head gaskets and stuff. To see if its the coolant boiling, WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. Take the radiator cap off, shine a light down in there and make sure you can see the level. Start the engine and let it idle a while, so it can warm up. Then look back down in there, and see if you can see the coolant flowing. If you see it flowing, I would say that its not boiling coolant. If it doesnt flow, you have a bad thermostat. As for an exhaust leak, you can take a piece of hose (you chose the diameter) about 3ft in length and put one end to your ear. Run the other end around the exhaust on both sides of the engine (if you have a V-6) and listen for low popping sounds. If its leaking, you will hear it.